The next generation of the Ford Transit Custom will include a 100% electric variant that will join the well-known mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and conventional powertrain proposals.
The announcement was made this Wednesday by the blue oval brand, which also revealed that the next generation of the Custom range — which includes the Transit Custom van and Tourneo Custom for passenger transport — will go into production in the first half of 2023.
All these versions will be manufactured by Ford Otosan, Ford's joint venture in Turkey, in Kocaeli.
Stuart Rowley, President of Ford of EuropeThe next generation of the Transit Custom range – including all-electric versions – will reinforce Ford's position as the number 1 commercial vehicle brand in Europe.
“Transit Custom is the crown jewel of our commercial vehicle range and is a key factor in our goal to grow the commercial vehicle business as we continue to build a sustainable and profitable business based on an electrified future for Ford in Europe,” added Rowley.
Remember that Ford had already announced — in February 2020 — that by 2024 its entire range of commercial vehicles will have an electrified version, be it all-electric or plug-in hybrid. More recently, it has also made it known that from 2030 all Fords in Europe will be electric.
But until then, and because “not all commercial vehicle users are available to switch from a conventional internal combustion engine to fully electric vehicles”, Ford will maintain a broad engine offering for Transit Custom, which will include mild variants. hybrid (MHEB) and plug-in (PHEV).
“Today we start another strategic investment that will help shape the future of the automotive industry. We are transforming our Kocaeli plants into Turkey's first and only integrated production facility for assembling electric vehicles and batteries,” said Ali Koc, President of Ford Otosan and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Koc Holding.
“We consider this investment, which will materialize over a decade, as a strategic move for the future. I would like to thank the Ford Motor Company for its trust in Turkey and in Ford Otosan, which made this investment possible,” he added.